3 November 2004

3 November 2004

3 November 2004 Californian voters have approved $3 billion of funding for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research. The measure was supported by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who went against Republican policy on embryo research. Mel Gibson was among those who opposed the measure. [The Guardian, 3 November ] A hormone test currently under development could dramatically reduce the risk of miscarriage, The Scotsman reports. Researchers at University College London have noted lower hormone levels among women who miscarry which it is hoped could be corrected in order to reduce the risk of miscarriage, particularly in women who suffer recurrent miscarriage. 100,000 women in the UK lose their babies every year. [The Scotsman, 3 November ] The chairman of the Kenya Medical Association, Dr Stephen Ochiel, is urging doctors to support a gynaecologist at his forthcoming murder trial. John Nyamu stands accused of performing abortions following his arrest in June along with two nurses in connection with the killing of two unborn babies. Two leading gynaecologists, Stephen Karanja and Jean Kagia have criticised Dr Ochiel for supporting Dr Nyamu, saying that his position "will disgrace the profession and bring it to disrepute." [The Guardian, 3 November ] Australia's parliamentary Health Secretary has said that moves should be made to ban late-term abortion, The Advertiser reports. Christopher Pyne said that debate was unnecessary as the issues were already widely known. He pointed out that the law was not in keeping with modern technology, which can keep premature babies alive at the same age when they can be legally aborted. [The Advertiser, 3 November ] The President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences has described the blocking of Rocco Buttiglione as European Commissioner for Justice as 'unacceptable', condemning the European leaders for their 'intolerance'. [CWNews, 2 November ] Lesley Martin, the euthanasia advocate currently serving a 15-month prison sentence for killing her terminally ill mother, is appealing her conviction. Mrs Martin's lawyer claims that she was mentally ill at the time of the killing and that she may not have intended to end her mother's life when she administered a morphine injection. The parole board has previously rejected moves to allow Mrs Martin to serve her sentence under house arrest as she showed no remorse for her actions. [Lifenews.com, 2 November ] The World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) has called on the British and Spanish parliaments to end illegal abortions after viewing the video produced by undercover Sunday Telegraph reporters investigating the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. Dr Gian Luigi Gigli, FIAMC's president said that the evidence of criminal abortions was clear from the video, as was the fact that an officially recognised British abortion agency had referred women to the Barcelona clinic. Dr Gigli also asked the European Union to make a stand on the issue. [Zenit, 2 November ]